A groom had a testicle bitten off by his wife's friend three weeks after his wedding when a night-out turned to violence.

But Neil Hutchinson, 29, had drunk so much he did not realise how badly he had been hurt, Newcastle Crown Court heard yesterday.

The trouble flared after mother-of-two Denise Carr, 29, and Shelley Hutchinson, 20, went out for a drink.

They left their husbands at the Carrs' home in Low Fell, Gateshead, where the men drank three-quarters of a bottle of Tequila.

Stephen Duffield, prosecuting, said that when the two women got back, Mrs Hutchinson went for a walk with Denise's husband Nathan, 32.

On their return, Mr Hutchinson, 30, flew into a jealous rage, believing something had been going on. He attacked his wife, grabbing her around the throat.

When Denise Carr tried to defend her friend, Mr Hutchinson swung round and attacked her, punching her in the face and then sitting on top of her.

The court was told Carr started biting her attacker to get him off her. "The defendant was not aware she had bitten his testicle until after the incident," said Mr Duffield.

Mrs Hutchinson, a barmaid, said: "She couldn't move, the only thing she could do to get him off was to bite at him.

"Somehow, the whole thing stopped and Denise ran off to call the police.

"Nathan managed to get Neil out of the flat and you could see there was blood all over the front of his jeans. He was covered."

Police arrived a short time later and found Mr Hutchinson's testicle on the sitting room floor.

Mr Hutchinson, of Craghead, County Durham, was taken to the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle, but doctors were unable to save his testicle.

Denise Carr, was originally charged with wounding with intent, but yesterday that was reduced to affray, which she admitted.

A joint charge of wounding with intent against Mr Carr was dropped by the prosecution. The hearing was adjourned until January 8 for pre-sentence reports.

After the hearing, Denise Carr said: "I am just glad it is all over and I can get on with my life."

Mrs Hutchinson, who is now divorced, said: "I am glad Denise and Nathan are going to be all right - as far as I am concerned Neil got what he deserved."

Mr Hutchinson left the court without comment